Author: admin

NSW’s world-first land-use technology platform, Land iQ, has secured more than $11 million in State and Commonwealth funding to back in its current work to identify surplus and underutilised public land for housing and to also help extend it for use in other sectors.

The platform, which won the Australian Property Institute Innovation in Property Award on 27 July, brings more than 40 land use data types together, making it easy to search more than 8 million lots and properties and quickly test different scenarios for land use.

Land iQ is currently being used by NSW government departments and nine local councils, helping to reduce time, cost and duplication.

It played a key role in work to support flood response planning in northern NSW last year and is now focused on supporting the State Government’s audit of publicly owned land for housing.

Land iQ makes it easier to identify and assess land for housing and related uses by putting vast amounts of data and analysis into the hands of land and property managers.

It means the work and time required by government and the private sector to assess land size, location and zoning constraints can be cut from weeks or months to days or less, delivering outcomes faster for the benefit of local communities.

The two-year funding, including $7.5 million from the NSW Government and $3.6 million in joint funding from the Commonwealth and the State as part of the Disaster Ready Fund, will allow Land iQ to be upgraded from a pilot to a more mature tool that can be licensed for use by other sectors that deal in land.

This could include private industry, local councils, universities and other researchers, or organisations like Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

Land iQ was recommended by the independent 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry as a key tool to consolidate land use risk data to support strategic planning.

The Commonwealth funding lines up with this recommendation and will allow for natural disaster risk and resilience analysis to be built into Land iQ so it can consider a site’s vulnerability to hazards including bushfires, droughts and floods.

The Commonwealth funding will also enable the opportunity for Land iQ’s capabilities to be used by other jurisdictions across Australia once the tool has fully matured.

The platform was built by WSP Australia and NSW start-up Giraffe, with high-resolution maps provided by Aerometrex.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said:

“Through the Albanese Government’s Disaster Ready Fund, we are taking serious action to support initiatives that improve community resilience and reduce the risk of natural disasters right across the nation.

“Initiatives like Land iQ will enable the NSW Government to make faster, smarter land use decisions to support emergency response, recovery and long-term resilience.

“We’re proud to back this, and another 18 projects worth more than $70 million in NSW alone.”

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“This is smarter planning, plain and simple, and we’re deploying the technology to support one of the Government’s top priorities – more housing for the people of NSW.”

“We are using every lever at our disposal to speed up the planning process and get more people in NSW into homes sooner.”

“Agencies can bring together more than 200 data sources to find sites that meet development requirements, then virtually test different planning scenarios in specific locations.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We’ve wasted no time to focus on ways to modernise the planning and approvals system, remove the chaos, confusion and delay to help address the housing crisis.

“We’re backing in this vital platform with more funding to support our ongoing work to improve assessment times, help improve assessment quality and support the audit surplus public land that could be rezoned for housing.”

Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said:

“We need more housing as quickly as possible, this platform speeds up the time to get to a formal proposal or development application.”

“All government agencies and councils using a shared platform with shared data means time and money that would otherwise be wasted will be going towards fixing the housing crisis.”

“We are rebuilding our housing system after over a decade of neglect. This will help streamline planning to ensure our focus is on fast tracking the delivery of more homes, and not on bureaucratic barriers.”

WSP Australia Acting Director Digital Damien Cutcliffe said:

“We’re delighted to be working with the Government and our partners in helping fast-track planning and housing solutions.

“It’s exciting to be playing a role in getting people into homes quicker.”

NSW Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card members across the state can now save 4 cents per litre on every fuel purchase at participating United service stations, using a digital or physical fuel discount card.

Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said cost of living can be a challenge for older people and every dollar counts.

“This brand new discount has been added to the wealth of Seniors Card savings to help keep more money in seniors’ pockets and ease price pressure at the pump,” Minister Harrison said.

“We want our Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card holders to get the best possible benefits, discounts, and special offers, and we’re excited to launch the program’s first fuel discount with United Petroleum, an Australian-owned business offering discounts to members at the bowser.”

Head of Loyalty at United Petroleum Judith Russell said Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card members simply need to sign up for a United digital or plastic fuel discount card online to save 4 cents per litre.

“Members then need to show and scan this United fuel discount card at the time of purchase at participating United service stations to save the 4 cents per litre,” Ms Russell said.

“The discount can be used once a day for a purchase to a maximum of 150L in a single transaction.”

If seniors choose a digital card, this can be used straight away, while the plastic card will be delivered within 5 to 15 business days.

The NSW Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card are the largest programs of its kind in Australia and have been running for 31 years. Current discounts available on both cards include several to ease the cost of living:

• Woolworths: 5% off WISH e-gift cards
• IGA: 5% off gift cards
• AGL: up to $200 in sign up credits when switching to the AGL Seniors Saver plan. That’s $100 for electricity and $100 for gas. Offer available to new and moving customers only
• Energy Australia: exclusive guaranteed 12% off electricity and 10% off gas rates
• Insure and Go: 15% off Insure and Go travel insurance policies
• Norton: 56% off Norton 360 Deluxe (first year subscription)
• RSPCA: 50% senior pet adoption + 10% off RSPCA veterinary services

Apply for a NSW Seniors Card or Senior Savers Cardlaunch

The fuel discount is available now and Senior Card or Senior Savers Card holders can apply.

Landmark legislation to prohibit religious vilification passed NSW Parliament today.

The amendment to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 makes it unlawful to, “by a public act, incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person or group of persons, because of their religious belief, affiliation or activity”.

A “public act” includes any form of communication to the public, verbal and non-verbal.

The legislation mirrors existing provisions in the Anti-Discrimination Act that make vilification unlawful on the grounds of race, homosexuality, transgender status and HIV/AIDS status.

People who do not have a religious belief or affiliation or do not engage in religious activity are also protected under the new law, which recognises that these are also positions in relation to religion which should be respected.

A wide range of stakeholders were consulted on the amendment, including faith-based organisations, community groups, multicultural associations, legal advocates and NSW Government agencies.

The new law comes into effect three months after the date of assent to the Act.

NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“We are lucky to live in a harmonious society that values respect, tolerance and inclusivity.

“Vilification on the grounds of a person’s religion (or no belief) is completely unacceptable in our community. Now we have a clear law to protect people from public actions that incite hatred or serious contempt or severe ridicule of them on the basis of their religious belief or lack of belief.”

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“NSW is one of the most successful multicultural states in the world. Our vibrant multicultural and multi-faith communities enrich our society.

“It is regrettable to see any expression of vilification towards certain groups based on their beliefs.

“This legislation sends a strong message to those people who seek to stir hatred and division in our community. It won’t be tolerated.”

Changes that aim to create a better governance structure at the state’s worker’s compensation provider have passed both houses of parliament and will now become law.

Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis will appoint employer and employee body representatives to the icare Board in the first step in the reform of icare’s governance.

Two suitably qualified employer and employee directors will be nominated by employer and employee representatives and will replace two non-executive directors, leaving the size of the icare Board unchanged with nine directors.

The two new directors will provide fresh perspectives, helping to better represent the employers who pay workers’ compensation premiums and the injured workers who need to access the scheme.

Legislation to amend the State Insurance and Care Governance Act 2015 for the Board changes passed both houses of Parliament on Thursday evening.

icare provides worker’s compensation for about 330,000 business and 3.4 million workers in New South Wales, managing about 60,000 new claims each year.

Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“Appointing representatives of employer and union bodies to the icare Board will ensure these important perspectives are heard in the icare boardroom.”

“This will legally ensure perspectives on premium affordability, timely and accurate payment of wage entitlements, timely access to medical diagnosis and treatment to support recovery and returning to work.”

“Adding employer and employee representatives to the Board is the first step to bring a critical lens upon management to improve performance and accountability to ensure better outcomes for the 330,000 businesses and 3.2 million workers covered by icare.”

The Minns Labor Government has received the first of five new purpose-built incident response vessels for NSW Maritime.

These vessels have the capabilities to support first responders during an emergency while delivering a significant boost to the current fleet. They are extremely durable and fitted with the latest state-of-the-art technology.

Each vessel is 5.3m long and fitted with a stabilised camera that can be viewed locally or streamed and controlled from the State Marine Incident Coordination Centre.

The vessels will enter service over the next 12 months and will be strategically stationed at key maritime bases in Northern New South Wales, the South Coast and the high-tech headquarters in Rozelle, to respond to any unfolding marine situation.

Each vessel will have capacity for 2 crew members and 6 passengers, will have a 2.9m tender for even greater access and a purpose-built trailer for on-land transportation.

These marine-grade, aluminium incident response vessels have been designed and manufactured in Australia for Australian conditions.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“These boats have the grunt to provide maritime crews with a capability uplift to operate across different environments such as aquatic events, natural disasters and marine pollution incidents.

“Using their cameras, these boats are equipped to provide real time intelligence directly from the field. They will be able to assist in emergency operations such as flooding or bushfires, reach residents in remote communities, help with major aquatic events and improve wharf and bridge inspections.”

The community is invited to contribute to the planning and design of 3 new dedicated palliative care units, which will enhance services for people with a life-limiting illness and better support their families and carers.

The NSW Government has committed $93 million to redevelop and refurbish palliative care units throughout the state under the World Class End of Life Care commitment, which includes new and expanded units at Westmead, Nepean, Wyong, Tamworth and Orange hospitals.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said community input into the design process will be crucial in ensuring each of the new units meet the needs of the local community.

“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring people with a life-limiting illness receive the highest quality end-of-life care, to provide peace of mind to patients, families and carers when they need it most,” Mr Park said.

“As well as featuring the latest technology and equipment, the new Palliative Care Units will provide a comfortable and home like setting to deliver the very best clinical care and emotional support.”

The Wyong, Nepean and Westmead Palliative Care Units are scheduled to complete master planning in September and will be shortly followed by Orange and Tamworth, with all 5 sites scheduled to commence construction in 2024.

Minister Park said the new palliative care units will complement the existing palliative and supportive care teams at Westmead, Nepean, and Wyong Hospitals.

“The new units will provide more choices for patients on where they want to receive care and how they want to be cared for, providing a comprehensive range of hospital and in-home services,” Mr Park said.

“It’s important the community is involved in this process to ensure the new units provide the care and support people need as they approach the end of their life.

“That’s why we’re encouraging anyone who is interested to register today.”

Community members who wish to contribute to the design are invited to register interest by completing the relevant form for Wyong, Westmead and Nepean hospitals.

A similar opportunity for the Orange and Tamworth communities will be available in the coming months.

The $93 million allocated for new and redevelopment of palliative care facilities is part of the 2022-2023 budget providing funding over 5 years (2022-2023 to 2026-2027) for NSW Health to deliver end of life and palliative care service enhancements across the state.

Construction of the new palliative care units across all 5 sites will commence following the design and planning process, in consultation with staff, patients and the community.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos today met coal mining industry representatives as part of consultations on the future beyond the State’s temporary coal cap.

The Government is considering options following the conclusion of the cap, which is set to expire on 1 July 2024, including modernising the coal royalty system to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe also today held a meeting with representatives from coal power station operators.

The consultation process includes inviting industry to provide written submissions by 11 August 2023.

The information from consultations will help inform the Government’s priorities in the second half of the year.

The current system will remain unchanged until the expiration of the coal cap.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer David Mehan participated in today’s discussions.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“These consultations are critical to ensuring we strike the right balance for the people of New South Wales and key industry stakeholders.

“It is important to meet representatives of the coal mining industry and hear their views on the operation of the coal cap and the future of the sector.”

Minister for Finance and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:

“Today’s meeting was productive and together with written submissions will inform the Government’s strategy.”

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said:

“The coal caps have played an important role assisting households and businesses with electricity costs.  Understanding how the implementation has worked for power stations is important.  I thank them for sharing their views as we contemplate future changes.”

The NSW Government is seeking feedback from the community and stakeholders on nation-leading reforms for regulating alcohol delivery services.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said everyone with an interest in the issue is invited to comment on the effectiveness of laws that have reduced risks of minors or intoxicated people accessing alcohol through delivery services.

“These changes were an Australian first with fit-for-purpose measures for the range of alcohol delivery models that have emerged – particularly same-day and express services,” Mr Harris said.

“Liquor and Gaming NSW has released a discussion paper for community input and will consider all feedback to determine if any improvements or changes are needed.”

Mr Harris said the online alcohol delivery sector continues to expand and as new technology emerges, it’s vital that key stakeholders and the community are consulted to ensure the regulatory framework remains relevant.

“Alcohol delivery services are a part of the gig economy, so it’s important that the safe and responsible service of alcohol is top of mind for delivery providers in this growing market,” Mr Harris said.

“The review seeks feedback on whether the laws governing alcohol delivery remain appropriate as well as emerging trends and technologies, the use of direct and social media marketing and collection of consumer data.”

The reforms which began in July 2021 covered all alcohol delivery services with a focus on same-day and express delivery with measures including:

• Age verification at the point of sale and on delivery
• Only the named adult can accept a delivery with identity verification required
• No financial penalties for drivers who refuse delivery to intoxicated or unverified customers
• Mandatory Responsible Supply of Alcohol (RSA) training for same-day alcohol delivery drivers
• Online self-exclusion options for customers
• No delivery to public areas where alcohol consumption is banned.

This second stage of the review will complement the first stage which focused on age and identity verifications for alcohol delivery and the RSA course. The discussion paper outlines how stakeholders and the community can provide feedback through an online survey or by providing a written submission.

Find out more about the alcohol delivery reforms consultationlaunch.

Consultation runs until 28 August.